EPA took the rare step of blocking a transaction in a voluntary carbon market when it stopped the planned destruction of a potent greenhouse gas to generate carbon credits.
EPA’s move involved Halon 1301, which depletes ozone and worsens planetary warming at levels far greater than carbon dioxide but also is used for fire suppression.
The carbon credits, if produced, would have been sold to one or more businesses wanting to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA said it stepped in after learning of a plan in July to move 30,000 pounds of the U.S. supply of Halon 1301 to France for destruction. The destruction potentially would have been financed by at least one business that in return would receive carbon credits to offset its own greenhouse gas emissions.
